Roses Roses

As stated previously, we had to trim the rose garden. It was so overgrown and covered with leaves. Plus we need to move a few rose bushes. (I planted them too close together.)

As a rule the way I planted would be OK, but I have several David Austin Roses. They grow compact and almost to the point of runners, (if you do not cut them back). Cutting back is not necessary for beautiful blooms but you can cut them back all summer long, into compact beautiful bushes.


I did not get that done last year, so I had tremendous overgrowth, to the point you could not walk between the bushes at times.


So Yesterday we began the project. Around early after noon our age was showing, we were exhausted. We had completed the two runners on the rose trellis, I had completed the lavender rose hedge, David had pruned about 7 in the main garden.


We had to stop. As you can see by the photo (sorry my computer is so slow I could not get it posted , You have to imagine) I DID stop sooner, I just lay on those warm rocks and sunned like a little lizard. Felt so good.
Today after sleeping until 9 we were up and at it again.

We completed one garden and began moving to the next side. We may have trimmed 8 on the south side. We still have a little to do, and lots of digging and moving plants to complete our back yard. However we are now debating on what to cover the ground with, More Bark or Rocks or Grass. Any suggestions?????

The redwood Bark we had on it has mulched into wonderful mulch. It is so black and rich. I pulled the landscape fabric up, as it was getting too much Bermuda in it from the rich mulch.

Now I have to put new fabric down and begin the process all over again. I have drips to each rose so I don't have to worry about water. I just have to worry about overgrowth in this great soil. I will leave most of the mulch for the roses but some I will move to another area.

My Lilac bush has put out lots of babies so I will be transplanting those, More bushes cant hurt my yard.

My Spearmint has multiplied to 50 to 100 times its size. I bought a 4 inch pot and it now fills half a 30' by 1' herb bed. That also needs trimmed badly. (so much to do so little time).

It is nice to walk out and chew on a piece of spearmint. And Yes, I do that and if you know David he usually will NOT. However I do get him to taste it, I promise him no bugs get on herbs.

My main project for the next few weeks is repairing my tractor, the grass is growing and will need trimmed pretty soon, That is unless we get some much needed rain. And lots of it too.

So pray for RAIN, California is dry and that means more fires this season. We remember how devastating that was last year.